Questionable Advice

Maxims, Advice & Cautions in all matters; or, Guidance for the Confused Masses

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~ The Health Guide, Edwin D. Babbitt, 1874

Don't bathe when drunk

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~ Marietta Register, Marietta, Pennsylvania; Saturday, October 10, 1885

Don't you people have homes to go to?

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~ Every Day Home Advice and The Practical Business of Life, Containing The Best and Most Practical Advice in Household Management, 1882

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~ Advice to Freshmen, University of Michigan,by Lionel G. Crocker, 1921

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~ Modern Dancing, by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle, 1914

Video of Vernon and Irene Castle demonstrating a proper dip (without grotesque attitudes!) starting at 1:09 in the 1915 film The Whirl of Life

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~ Pearline, 1904

I love this woman: she looks like someone who can manage a household, grow beautiful geraniums and make delicious tea cakes, all while advising you to stop being silly about the new grocer's delivery boy because "pretty is as pretty does."

Also, if you look at this slightly better picture you can tell she's wearing fancy earrings:

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~ STOP! A Handy Monitor, Pocket Conscience and Portable Guardian against the World, the Flesh and the Devil, Nathan D. Urner, 1884

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~ Our Deportment or the Manners and Customs of Polite Society, Maud C. Cooke, 1902

Don't make eye contact with the help, ladies

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1921 Ad for a phonograph and lamp (!) combination from Burns Pollock Electric Manufacturing Company. From Pinterest.

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I'm strangely fascinated by this! Probably because it's every woman's choice. Anyway, here is one c. 1915:

And here is another, slightly less ornate, c. 1921:

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~ Social Customs, Florence Howe Hall, 1887

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~ The Sunday Morning Star, April 23, 1939

"Strangely enough, there are places in this civilized world where mobs are permitted and encouraged to attack people . . . whose creed and race are not approved by the party in power." "Heaven forbid that the people of this country will ever have such an intolerant attitude toward any of its citizens"

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~ Female Beauty: or, The Art of Human Decoration by Ernest Feydeau, 1874

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~ W. J. Sprunger, 1916

"Some people have not much music in their head but have a lot in their feet."

Wise words from W.J. Sprunger

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GOING TO THE BEACH?

In the US the last weekend in May is a traditional weekend to go to the beach. But before you go running into the water all willy-nilly and happy, please read the following warnings:

And, of course, please be sure you are properly attired for beach activity. No one wants to see your ankles, people.

Picture of appropriate clothing and sources below the cut:

Vivilore: The Pathway To Mental and Physical Perfection, Mary Ries Melendy, 1904

Lord & Taylor advertisement, June 14, 1879

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~ The American Gentleman’s Guide to Politeness and Fashion, Henry Lunettes, 1863

*Sigh* Servants are such a bother

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~ The Correct Thing in Good Society, by the Author of “Social Customs”, 1888

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~ The Sunday Morning Star (Wilmington, DE), April 23, 1939